How I photograph my local town and my advice to help you photograph yours

One of the core elements of my photography practice is taking spontaneous photowalks around my hometown. I began these excursions just after the first COVID-19 lockdowns eased; they were simply a way to motivate myself to step outside with a camera and better explore my local surroundings. Quickly, this habit became both a source of joy and inspiration, which led me to create the documenting.swindon Instagram account. While the name suggests a broader project, the reality is that it serves as a visual diary, recording my personal walks and discoveries.

Capturing these kinds of photographs depends heavily on momentum and consistent practice, when you’re regularly out shooting, spotting interesting images becomes much easier. If you lose that rhythm, though, it can be tough to find compelling subjects. Over the past two years, I’ve visited the town centre far less often, and when I did, I felt pressured to get great shots. This made finding engaging photos harder, left me frustrated, and caused longer gaps between outings. At times, it felt like I was losing my photographic ‘mojo.’

How I rediscovered my mojo and tips on Photographing Your Local Town

This past month, I’ve managed to rediscover my sense of ‘flow’ and enjoyment during these local photowalks. The rest of this blog outlines what has helped reignite my interest:

Head Out on Sunny Days

As someone who loves light, I’ve found that heading out only on sunny days—at least while regaining my mojo, has boosted my chances of finding good photos. In winter, with the sun lower in the sky, even shadows and the way light interacts with everyday objects offer plenty of photographic opportunities.

No Pressure. Enjoy the Walk

I set no expectations for myself regarding capturing photos; my main goal is to enjoy the walk and stay present. If I discover scenes that draw my attention, wonderful—but if not, I still benefit from a pleasant walk and exploration.

Switch from Film to Digital

Shooting film is costly and time-consuming. Although I love film, for these walks, I prefer digital: the workflow is simpler, costs are lower, and there’s no limit to the number of shots. This freedom encourages experimentation and spontaneity. I save curation and editing for later rather than policing myself in the moment.

Don’t Self-Censor

To reinforce the point above, I try not to second-guess when to press the shutter. If something catches my eye, I make the photo—hesitation can wait until I review my shots. Even if some results aren’t great, those decisions come afterwards.

Follow Your Instincts and Explore Freely

There is no set route on my walks. When I reach the end of a street, I simply decide where to go next based on curiosity.

Keep your own set ‘Honeypot’ Locations in Mind for Inspiration

When inspiration runs dry, I sometimes revisit favourite spots—like alleyways near the town centre, which I find endlessly interesting. They frequently offer strong compositional elements such as lines, patterns, and vanishing points, making them feel almost like a creative “cheat code.” After building some momentum in these areas, I move on to new parts of town. You’ll need to find your own honeypot locations in your town.

Rediscovering Photography in Swindon